Desk for type-writing machines



No. 622,2Ii. Patented Apr. 4, |899. H. F. W. &. J. H. F. DOHNETTE. DESK FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

(Application filed Nov. 22, 1897.)

(No Model.)

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NTTED STATES.`

PATENT EEICE.

HENRXT FREDERICK W. DORNETTE AND JOHN HENRY F. DORNETTE, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO'.

DESK FOR TYPE-WRITING MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 622,211, dated April 4, 1899. Application filed November 22, 1897. Serial No. 659 ,393. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, HENRY FREDERICK W. DOENETTE and JOHN HENRY F. DOENETTE, citizens of the United States, and residents of the city of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Desks for Type-Writing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The several features of our invention and the various advantages resulting from their use, conjointly or otherwise, will be apparent from the following description and claims.

ln the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, and in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts, Figure 1 represents a view in perspective of a type-writer and desk combined with our invention and constructed according to the latter. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same (without the type-writer machine) when the desk is closed and the type-writer is hidden from view. This section is taken in a vertical plane passing through the desk, at the middle of the length of the latter, from front to rear. That side of the section is presented which faces toward the left in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to that of Fig. 2, but showing the mechanism in the position it assumes when the desk is open and the type-writing machine is presented ready for use. Fig. 4 represents a vertical cross-section of the central portion of the machine, taken in the plane of the dotted line 4 4 of Fig. 2, that face of the section being presented which faces toward the left in said Fig. 2. Fig. 5 represents a detail of a sliding shelf for holding the type-writing machine' and capable of being slid forward and backward on the supporting-platform.

A indicates the desk, consisting in regard to its general conformation of a central portion B and two supporting sides C C. The sides C may be utilized in any desired manner. In the present illustrative instance the sides are provided with compartments D, containing drawers D2. The lower front part o f the central portion B is preferably provided with a space to receive the knees and feet of the typewriter operator. At the rear of this space the inclined partition E is present, connected at its side edges to the sides C and at its top edge preferably united to a cross-bar E2. Each side C is covered at C2 with a suitable tabular top, and the rear portion of the central compartment B is covered with a tabular top C2, and we prefer to make the latter in one with the table-tops of the sides. The space above the horizontal plane passing through the bar E2 and bounded by the sides C and the rear table-top C3 is constructed to receive the type-writing machine W as it rises into the position to be used.

The platform F is the one on which the type-writing machine is to be located. This platform moves up and down in an inclined direction, but always remains horizontal.v It is preferably provided at its rear with a guardpiece F2. Against the latter the rear of the base of the type-writing machine can impinge. In any event this guard prevents the machine W from slipping or being moved rearward beyond the platform F. The platform F is also provided with side guards F3 F3. The platform F preferably does not occupy the entire horizontal space from side to side of compartment B. In such event there will usually be present stationary edgings T T2. Beneath the platform F and inflexibly fixed thereto, so as to move as one with it, there is a guiding device F4, which slides on or within guides G, inclined downward and rearward, as shown, and aflixed in a stationary manner to the frame of the desk. ln the present illustrative instance the guiding device is in one piece and extends across com partment B. Each side edge of this guiding device F4 enters a channel G2 of the guiding device G on the adjacent side and is slidable therein. So far as the mechanism thus far described is concerned the platform F, with its guiding-plate F4, is free to slide from the horizontal plane of the bar E downward and rearward until the plate F4 reaches the lower terminus of the guideways G G, and it is then free to be moved upward and forward to the rst-named position. For thus lowering and raising the platform F we employ a combination of levers and connecting-rods of our invention. To secure uniformity of construc- IOO -a short connecting-rod H.

'tion and ease of movement and to prevent all binding of the operating parts and of the sliding mechanism F'1 G, we duplicate the combination. For economy of cost and of space and to utilize further the cover we make it an element in the said combination. This combination is as follows: To the platform F, preferably to the outer side of the guard F3 thereof, we pivotally connect at H2 To the other end of this rod H-viz., at H3- we pivotally connect one cud of a lever J, whose other end is pivotally connected at J2 to a stationary portion of the frame. To this lever J there is pivotally connected at K3 one end of a connecting-rod K, whose other end is pivotally connected at M2 to a bent lever pivotally fulcrumed (on a stationary f ulcrum) to the frame at M3. The other end of this bent lever is pivotally connected at N2 to the adjacent corner of the rear end of the cover N. The cover N at its adjacent front corner-wiz., at P2- is pivotally connected to one end of a drop flap N3, and the otherend of thelatter is pivotally connected at P3 to the frame. The dropflap is hinged to the cover at P4. As before noted, one such combination of levers and connecting-rods is present at the right-hand side of the platform and of the cover and another such combination at the left-hand side of the same.

The operation of the parts thus described is as follows: When the respective parts of the mechanism occupy the position shown in Fig. 2, the platform F occupies its lowest position and the typeewriting machine thereon is concealed from view, and the desk, so far as said machine is concerned, is closed, and the cover N being in place protects the machine from dust and injury. Vhenever the operator desires to use the type-writing machine, he lifts the front edge of the cover N and carries it up and over in the arc of a circle, permitted and regulated by the connecting-rod P, until the cover assumes the position shown in Fig. 3. A stop S of the frame limits descent of the cover below the desired point. During this movement of the cover the end at N2 of the lever M has been forced down and its other end at M2 has been forced forward and the connecting rod K moved forward, and the latter has moved the free end (at H3) of lever J upward, and the latter, in turn, has moved the connecting-rod H forward, and thus moved the platform upward, and the latter, guided by its guides, has moved forward and upward to the horizontal plane of the upper edge of the bar E3 and has carried the type-writing machine to the position shown in Fig. l and conveniently ready for use. This upward and forward movement of the platform and the upward and forward movement of the free end of lever J has caused the lever J and the rod H to aline after the manner of a toggle-joint when straightened. These levers J and rod H being in the same vertical straight line will carry any weight up to that required to crush them or break their pivots. They are therefore when made of a moderate size capable of well sustaining the weight of the typewriting machine. Being in vertical alinement, the weight of the typelwriting machine and the platform and of those parts of the mechanism which they sustain has no tendency to defiect them. Th us the machine remains locked in this position. Furthermore, the position and weight of the cover N tend to lock the mechanism in place for upholding the platform and keeping it immovable. Vhen it is desired to lower the type-writer and close the desk, the operator takes hold of the upper (front) edge of the cover and draws the cover upward. Such a movement forces the free end (at. H2) of lever J backward and downward, moving the lever J out of alinement with rod H, and draws upon this rod H. As the operator continues to draw the cover upward and forward, as permitted to do by the rod P, the platform and the typewriting machine upon it descend until they reach the position shown in Fig. 2. By this time the cover has been closed down and the type-writeris again protected from accidental injury and from dust. In order to conveniently close the gap between the bar E3 and front edge of the cover N, a drop-flap VN3 is provided, suitably hinged, in connection with the cover, as aforementioned. lVhen the cover is closed, the flap is down and covers this opening between the cover and bar E3. As the cover is thrown back the flap N3 lies back and against lthe cover, as shown in Fig. 3, and is thus out of possible interference with the type-writing machine.

Among the various advantages which belong to our invention are the following: The platform is on a level at all times. It never tilts. The type-writing machine therefore is always in its normal posit-ion, having the bottom horizontal, and is never tilted. Again, neither the platform nor the type-writin g machine thereon need to be lifted when the lid is lifted to lower the platform and its load. When the platform is at its uppermost position, it is not only locked, so that it will not accidentally descend,but it is capable of carrying a very heavy amount of load in addition to the weight of the type-writing machine. The primary reason for this last-named advantage lies in the arrangement of the parts J and H.

Another advantage is that no extra weights are needed to counterbalance the weight of the platform and the type-writing machine thereon. The parts as constructed constitute without extra weights a proper counterbalance for one another. The platform and its load can be moved up and down with great facility.

It may at times be desirable to bring the type-writing machine forward, so as the better to reach and operate it. In such event suitable mechanism for this purpose is to be A IOO IIO

employed. One convenient and simple kind of such mechanism is as follows: The platform is provided with two guideways W3, affixed to the top of the platform. The edges of a sliding plate W2 or the like fit into they guideways of these guides, while the plate itself may rest on the platform. On the sliding plate W2 is located the type-writing machine. By drawing the plate V2forward the machine may be advanced toward the operator. When the desk is to be closed down, the plate W2 and the machine are moved back altogether upon and over the platform.

W'hat we claim as new an'd of our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

l. In a type-writing desk, the combination of a cover and a movable platform F, short rod H whose upper end is attached to this platform F, and lever J, pivotally fulcrumed at its lower end J2 to a fixed portion of the desk, and at its upper end pivoted to the lower end of the rod H, and link K, whose lower end is pivotally connected to lever J near the latters mid-length, and lever M, curved for one end portion, and pivotally ful- `crumed at M3 in the neighborhood of said curve, to a fixed part of the desk,and connected at its lower end at M2 to the upper end of link K, and at its upper end pivotally connected at N2 to the rear end of the cover, and guides adapted to obliquel'y guide the platform up and down, and means for oscillating the cover, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. In a type-writing desk, the combination of a cover and a movable platform F, short rod H whose upper end is attached to this platform F, and lever J, pivotally fulcru'med at its lower end J2 to a ixed portion of the desk, and at its upperend pivoted to the lower end of the rod I-I, and link K, whose lower` end is pivotally connected to lever J near the latters mid-length, and lever M, curved for one end portion, and pivotally fulcrumed at M3 in the neighborhood of said curve, eto a fixed part of the desk, and connected at its lower end at M2 to the upper end of link K, and at its upper endr pivotally connected at N2 to the rear end of the cover, and guides adapted to obliquely guide the platform up and down, and the cover N and link P, one end of the latter being pivoted at P2 to the forward end of the cover, the other end of this link P being pivoted at P2, under the cover, and near the mid-length of the latter, to a fixed part of the desk, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. The combination of a type-writer desk, the cover, the curved lever connected to said cover, the type-writer table, a toggle-joint connected to said table and to the desk, and connections between said lever and one of the arms of the toggle-joint, whereby the upsetting of the cover raises the table by means of the toggle-joint, the parts being so arranged that the arms of the toggle-joint are in vertical alinement at the end of movement, whereby the type-writer table is solidly supported, substantially as described.

4. The combination of a type-writer desk, the cover, the type-writer table, the togglejoint, one end of which is connected to the type-writer table and the othe'r to the desk, and connections between said cover and one of the arms of the toggle-joint, whereby the upsetting of the cover raises the type-writer table and causes the toggle-lever to straighten out so that at the end of the movement the type-writer table will be directly supported by the links of the toggle-joint which are then in vertical alinement, substantially as described.

5. In a type-writing desk, the combination of the platform, reciprocable in oblique guideways, and the toggle-joint H, J, and bent lever M and connecting-rod interconnecting lever J and lever M, and the cover pivoted to lever connected to lever M, and adapted to move up and over the platform, as the platform is lowered, and vice versa, when the latter isvraised, these devices being arranged as described for enabling the movement of the cover to put the members of the toggle-joint in alinement when the type-Writing Hoor is elevated substantially as and for the purposes specified.

HENRY FREDERICK W. DORNETTE. JOHN HENRY F. DORNETTE. Attest:

WM. E. J oNEs, K; SMITH. 

